Judge denies Major Hasan's request for a continuance

FORT HOOD, Texas -- In another pretrial hearing in the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, July 2, Hasan asked Judge Col. Tara Osborn for a three day continuance to allow him time to evaluate whether he will hire a new attorney, former Attorney General William Ramsey Clark.

Judge Osborn denied the request, stating that Hasan has seven days before trial begins on July 9 to determine whether he will hire a new lawyer to assist in his defense.  She denied any request for an additional continuance based on a request for new counsel. 

Osborn cited the multiple changes Hasan has made in his defense counsel, having already been represented by John Galligan, in addition to his current stand-by defense counsel, and having fired them all, now acting pro se.   

Hasan further refused to enter a plea, so the court entered a plea on his behalf of "not guilty."  

 In other matters, voir dire questions were reviewed and all questions related to the "defense of others" were stricken. 

Multiple motions were also addressed, to include motions previously considered by Judge Gregory Gross related to prosecutorial misconduct, disqualification of the Staff Judge Advocate, a set aside of Congressional legislation, and an objection that this trial is being tried as a capital case without having first been taken before a grand jury.  All motions were reconsidered by Judge Osborn and denied. 

Jury panel selection will begin at 2:30 p.m. on July 9.

The accused is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.